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What makes you smile the more at the end of the day, a big
sale or your child’s laugh when you toss him or her up in the
air?

When my two children were born, I thought I could easily enjoy
and succeed at being a dad and an entrepreneur. But I quickly
realized a fact that most people don’t like to talk about: You
have to make sacrifices, prioritizing each role over the other at
different times.

The trick to being a great entrepreneur and a great parent is
giving your business and your family 100 percent of your
time and focus. It might sound impossible, but here are a few
tips to make it work:

1. Stick to a routine, but work flexibly. Kids
thrive on a regular schedule but your job requires a lot of
time from you, often completely off-schedule. Make it a priority
to spend time with your kids during the day. I make up the
time I missed by working when everyone is asleep because I don’t
need much sleep. Find your own strategy to maintain a routine
with your kids while still getting work done.

2. Prioritize your family, but understand that you’ll
have to make sacrifices for your business. Although your
family is much more important, certain situations require you to
focus on your business. Learn to recognize those true emergencies
when your business requires your full attention.

Right after my second child was born, there was an emergency with
my company’s factories in Turkey. I had to get on a plane
immediately to fix the situation, even though it meant leaving my
newborn with my wife, who was still recovering. It was a hard
decision, but ultimately, it was the right one.

3. Be there for your kids. Spend lots of time
with your family. So what if you miss an important meeting with a
client to attend your kid’s preschool graduation? When I get into
a rut working too much, I ask myself, “Why did I choose to have
kids if I wasn’t going to be there for them?” That helps me
realign my priorities.

4. Cross-train your staff
and delegate. Prioritizing your family means
you might not be at work for every important meeting or critical
decision. You have to trust your team to make tough decisions.
Cross-train your staff so everyone feels comfortable performing
multiple jobs.

5. Avoid burnout. It’s essential to
make time for yourself. Pick one or two days a week, along
with a specific time, to pursue something that excites
you. It’s hard to take care of your kids or your business if
you’re exhausted. But don’t just relax, do something you’re
passionate about. Pursuing your unique interests, especially on a
schedule, makes you look forward to them and energizes you
for the rest of the day.

6. Help your team avoid burnout, too. You’ll
need support from your staff to prioritize your family, so make
sure your employees feel valued. My company organizes weekend
trips for employees who meet sales goals. These incentives are a
win-win, good for our bottom line while creating an air of
excitement in the office.

If money and personal freedom are priorities for you, starting a
family and running a company at the same time is not be the
best idea. Raising kids is hard work, especially if you’re aiming
to succeed professionally at the same time. Being a committed
parent will affect your business, just as being a business owner
will have an effect on your family. You’ll have less time for
everything.

But both fatherhood and entrepreneurship have deeply enriched my
life. Although each requires sacrifices, you can ease the
pain by prioritizing and carefully planning your time. While it’s
great to bask in the glow of a wonderful day at work, it’s just
as awe-inspiring to hear that laugh of joy when you
toss your child in the air.